Genesis 19:28

KJV

And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he looked {H8259} toward {H6440} Sodom {H5467} and Gomorrah {H6017}, and toward {H6440} all the land {H776} of the plain {H3603}, and beheld {H7200}, and, lo, the smoke {H7008} of the country {H776} went up {H5927} as the smoke {H7008} of a furnace {H3536}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and looked out toward S'dom and 'Amora, scanning the entire plain. There before him the smoke was rising from the land like smoke from a furnace!

Berean Standard Bible

He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace.

American Standard Version

and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the Plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 19:28 offers a stark and unforgettable image of the aftermath of divine judgment, as Abraham gazes upon the devastated landscape of Sodom and Gomorrah. The verse vividly portrays the catastrophic destruction through the rising smoke, likened to that of a furnace, serving as a powerful visual testament to God's righteous wrath against profound and unrepentant wickedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the cataclysmic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain, recounted in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). The narrative has built to this moment through Abraham's fervent intercession for the cities, where he pleaded with God to spare them if even ten righteous individuals could be found ([Genesis 18:23-33](/genesis/18-23-33 "Abraham's intercession for Sodom")). The failure to find even this small number sealed their fate. Simultaneously, Abraham's nephew, Lot, and his two daughters were miraculously delivered from the impending doom by angels, narrowly escaping just before the fiery judgment descended ([Genesis 19:15-23](/genesis/19-15-23 "Lot's escape from Sodom")). Thus, [Genesis 19:28](/genesis/19-28 "Abraham witnesses the aftermath") presents Abraham's solemn morning-after observation, a visual confirmation of the divine pronouncements and the terrifying reality of God's righteous judgment that he had so earnestly sought to avert.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "land of the plain" (Hebrew: _kikkâr_) refers to the fertile Jordan Valley, specifically the southern end near the Dead Sea, where Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (later Zoar) were located. This region was known for its lushness, likened to the "garden of the Lord" ([Genesis 13:10](/genesis/13-10 "The Plain of Jordan, like the Garden of Eden")). However, these cities were infamous for their extreme wickedness, characterized by pride, abundance, idleness, and a failure to help the poor and needy ([Ezekiel 16:49-50](/ezekiel/16-49-50 "The sins of Sodom")). The specific sin that led to their final destruction, as highlighted in [Genesis 19:4-9](/genesis/19-4-9 "The wickedness of Sodom's men"), was a pervasive and aggressive homosexual assault, indicative of a complete breakdown of moral order and hospitality. The imagery of "smoke of a furnace" would have been readily understood in an ancient Near Eastern context, where furnaces were used for smelting metals or baking bricks, implying an intense, consuming, and deliberate heat.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute holiness and His commitment to act decisively against pervasive and unrepentant sin. It highlights the **Consequences of Human Wickedness**, serving as a stark warning about the dire outcomes of moral corruption and a refusal to heed divine warnings. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereignty**, showcasing His ultimate control over creation and human affairs, including the power to execute precise and total judgment. For Abraham, it also serves as a profound confirmation of God's faithfulness to His word, both in judgment and in the deliverance of the righteous, such as Lot, echoing the broader theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness** even amidst judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **looked (Hebrew, _shâqaph'_):** From H8259, this verb means "to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)." In this context, it suggests Abraham's deliberate act of looking from a vantage point, likely a high place, to observe the plain. It conveys a sense of focused attention, perhaps even a solemn, awestruck gaze upon the unfolding spectacle of divine judgment.
* **smoke (Hebrew, _qîyṭôwr'_):** From H7008, meaning "a fume, i.e. cloud." This word vividly describes the thick, rising vapor that would have been visible from a distance, indicating a massive, widespread conflagration. It is not merely a wisp, but a significant, pervasive cloud of fumes.
* **furnace (Hebrew, _kibshân'_):** From H3536, meaning "a smelting furnace (as reducing metals)." This is a crucial word, as it specifies the type of fire. A smelting furnace generates extremely high, controlled heat designed to utterly transform or consume its contents. This imagery emphasizes the intensity, totality, and deliberate nature of the destruction, far beyond a natural fire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah":** This clause establishes Abraham's perspective and the object of his gaze. Having interceded for the cities and witnessed Lot's escape, Abraham, from his vantage point (likely near Hebron, a higher elevation), turns his attention to the region where the cities once stood. His act of "looking" (H8259, _shâqaph_) implies a deliberate and expectant observation, perhaps with a sense of dread or solemn confirmation.
* **"and toward all the land of the plain":** This expands the scope of the destruction beyond just the cities themselves to encompass the entire fertile region. It indicates the comprehensive and pervasive nature of God's judgment, affecting not just the centers of wickedness but the surrounding environment that had been corrupted by their presence.
* **"and beheld, and, lo,":** This phrase conveys a sense of sudden, impactful realization or revelation. "Beheld" (H7200, _râʼâh_) signifies seeing clearly or perceiving, while "lo" (Hebrew: _hinneh_) is an interjection that draws immediate attention to what is about to be described, emphasizing the awe, horror, or profound significance of the sight. It marks the moment Abraham's expectation or apprehension is confirmed by the visual evidence.
* **"the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.":** This is the climactic descriptive clause. The "smoke of the country" (H7008, _qîyṭôwr_ from the land H776, _ʼerets_) confirms the widespread nature of the devastation. The powerful **simile** "as the smoke of a furnace" (H3536, _kibshân_) is central to the verse's meaning. It signifies an exceptionally hot, consuming, and thorough fire, far beyond any natural conflagration. A furnace is a controlled environment for intense heat, suggesting that this was not a random disaster but a precise, complete, and deliberate act of divine judgment, leaving nothing but utter desolation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Genesis 19:28](/genesis/19-28 "Abraham witnesses the aftermath") is **Simile**. The comparison of "the smoke of the country" to "the smoke of a furnace" is highly effective. This simile conveys several layers of meaning: it emphasizes the **intensity** of the fire, suggesting a heat so extreme that it utterly consumed everything; it highlights the **totality** of the destruction, implying that nothing survived the conflagration; and it subtly points to the **deliberate nature** of the judgment, as a furnace is a controlled environment for specific, often destructive, purposes. Beyond simile, the verse also utilizes vivid **Imagery**, painting a powerful visual for the reader. The rising smoke serves as a tangible, undeniable symbol of divine wrath and the irreversible consequences of sin. This imagery evokes a sense of both awe at God's power and solemnity at the severity of His justice. The use of the **interjection** "lo" (or "behold") also creates a sense of immediate dramatic impact, drawing the reader's attention to the profound and terrifying sight Abraham witnesses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 19:28 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding holiness and His commitment to justice. The complete annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah, evidenced by the rising smoke, serves as an enduring testament that God is not indifferent to sin, particularly when it becomes pervasive, unrepentant, and openly defiant. This event underscores the severe consequences of human wickedness and the reality that divine patience, while vast, is not infinite. It stands as a solemn warning against moral corruption and the dangers of embracing a lifestyle contrary to God's righteous standards.

* [Deuteronomy 29:23](/deuteronomy/29-23 "Sodom and Gomorrah as a warning")
* [Jude 1:7](/jude/1-7 "Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of eternal fire")
* [2 Peter 2:6](/2_peter/2-6 "Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 19:28 compels us to deeply consider the gravity of sin and the immutable character of God. It is a profound reminder that God is holy, righteous, and just, and He takes sin with utmost seriousness. While we live under the New Covenant of grace, this account serves as a timeless and solemn warning that God's justice is an inherent aspect of His being, and there will ultimately be an accounting for all unrighteousness. Therefore, we are called to live lives marked by genuine repentance, pursuing holiness and obedience to God's commands. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives and societies for any pervasive sin that might provoke divine displeasure, urging us to turn from evil and embrace righteousness. It also reminds us of the importance of heeding God's warnings and not clinging to the world's temptations, as Lot's wife tragically demonstrated, recognizing the eternal implications of our choices.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the imagery of "smoke of a furnace" reveal about the nature of God's judgment against sin?**
* **How does Abraham's observation of the destruction affect your understanding of God's holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways might the story of Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a warning for contemporary society or for your own life?**
* **How does the balance between God's mercy (in saving Lot) and His justice (in destroying the cities) challenge or comfort you?**

### FAQ
**Does the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah imply God is cruel?**

Answer: No, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, while undeniably severe, is presented in Scripture not as an act of cruelty, but as a demonstration of divine justice against extreme, pervasive, and unrepentant wickedness. The cities' inhabitants were given ample opportunity to repent, and their sin was so profound that it "cried out" to God ([Genesis 18:20](/genesis/18-20 "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah")). God's action underscores His absolute holiness and His commitment to upholding righteousness, serving as a solemn warning for all generations about the dire consequences of persistent sin. This act highlights God's justice, which is a necessary complement to His boundless mercy and patience.

**Why is the imagery of "smoke of a furnace" used to describe the destruction?**

Answer: The imagery of "the smoke of a furnace" (Hebrew: _kibshân_) is used to convey the intensity, completeness, and deliberate nature of the destruction. A furnace generates exceptionally high, controlled heat, often used for smelting or total consumption. This comparison suggests that God's judgment was not a random natural disaster but a precise, thorough, and total annihilation. It emphasizes the severity and finality of the divine wrath poured out on the cities and the surrounding plain, leaving no doubt about the extent of the devastation and the deliberate purpose behind it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 19:28](/genesis/19-28 "Abraham witnesses the aftermath") depicts the terrifying reality of God's righteous judgment against sin, it implicitly points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of both divine justice and mercy found in Jesus Christ. The smoke rising from Sodom and Gomorrah foreshadows the coming judgment on all unrighteousness, a judgment that is eternal and consuming. Yet, in a profound act of divine love, Christ Himself bore the full wrath of God on the cross, becoming the perfect sacrifice for sin ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Christ's suffering for our sins")). He experienced the "furnace" of God's wrath so that those who believe in Him might be spared. Through His atoning work, believers are delivered from the judgment that sin deserves, finding refuge and salvation in Him ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justified by His blood, saved from wrath")). Thus, the terrifying smoke of judgment in Genesis points forward to the smoke of the sacrifice of Christ, which ascended as a pleasing aroma to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Christ's sacrifice as a fragrant offering")), reconciling humanity to Himself and offering an escape from the ultimate furnace of divine wrath for all who put their faith in Him ([John 3:16-18](/john/3-16-18 "God's love and judgment through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 18:9

¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Revelation 9:2

And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

Jude 1:7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Revelation 18:18

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!

Revelation 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Psalms 107:34

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

Revelation 19:3

And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.